Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-02-16
THE GRAND ARMY .

The tgenty-first annual encampment
of the Grand Army of the Republic, De-
partmeni of Illinois, met al 10 this morn
ing in the rink. Commander Philip
Sydney Post presiding In the absence of
Department Chaplain z. D. WIlkin. of
Danville, Presiding Elder Lewis Curtis,
of the Sycamore district distinguished
and eloquent comrade, invoked the di,
vine blessing. TIE hall WAS filed almost
entirely. and among the veterans the AR
GUS reporter noticed veterans of national
as well as state reputation. Upon tn e
platform were ex>Depsrtment Commando
ers W. W. Berry, Quincy, j ". Burst
Sycamore, G T. Gould, Aurora Tho N
as G. LAWYER, of Rockford; L. T. Dick
ason, of D4nville; General A. L Chef
lain aud General Horace II. Thomas, of
Chicago, General Charles P. Swigert,
state auditor; Ruggles. of Havana; Col
onel Til omas Hainer, of Fulton county;
Colonel W L, Distin, Quincy; Colonel
Phocion Howard, of DanvilIe, Hon,
Kirk n. Eastman. Chicago CDlo1el
Wesford Taggart, OF Tuscola Upon the
floor were Lieutenant Governor John c.
Smith, ex>Lieutenant 6 overnor John ".
Hamilton: State Steasurer John r Tan
neT, eX State Treasurer Jacob Gross.
Secretary Of STATE Heary D Dement,,
Sheriff Camite K. Matson, of Chicago,
Major John j Healy, clerk OF the appel
late court of Chicago, ex Adjutan,
General John L. Bennett. Captain Ed
Harlan, of Marshall: Major W H. King
| Of Chicago; Colonel Isaac Clements, Cur,
bonsdae; General James S Martin,
Salem Judge Puterbaugh, Peoria Gen
eral r. W. Smith, Chicago ) Ez- Congres
man Hayes, of Morris Colonel James A
Sexton, Chicago ; Judge Langley, Caam'
paigu; Colonel Venable, Macomb. These
names are. by no means. partial Tht
encam pment is probably the ablest anc
strongest ever assembled in The history oil
the order.
The welcome address of Comrade Nc,
Kee Of Rock Island was most eloquent
and admirable one the lack Of space
forbids complete report of it. Afte
the commander of the post had calle(
the meeting 10 order and the usual ROUTINE
business had been disposed of. the
REPORTS OF OFFICERS
came, Commander Posts being the frs
read aud it enclosed the most important
features of the subordinate officers. It il
given below in full
| WORDS CT WELCOME
1t is with peculiar pleasure that wei
come the representatives of the Crane
Army of the Republic of the department
of Illinois, assembled at their twenty
first annual encampment. l congratu
late the veterans Of the organization who
nursed it in its infancy, encouraged it il
its earliest years, aud who have unoeas
ingly labored for it. Their widest hope
have been more than realized. The or
ganization at its twenty-tirst annual en-
campment may be considered as of full
age. responsible for its acts, though
trust 1t has not reached the maturity o.
its strength, or its maximum influence il
the noble work for which it was founded
Let us rather hope that it will continu
to gather into its loyal ranks those VIII
are entitled to that privilege, and that al
it grows older, it will grow in honor ant
reap the full reward Of its well-earnet
fame.
MEMORIAL DAY.
In an official report it will be impossi
bic to mention all that has occurre,
worthy of note during the year. but som
things have occurred which can not-pro
perly be omitted. According to the rule
and regulations, and the laws of tn
state of Illinois, memorial day was thi:
year Monday the 31st, but some service!
were held on Saturday. some on Sunday
and Others on Monday. all having tn,
same object in view and enabling man,
comrades to attend three services instoa'
of one. Memorial ceremonies were uni
versal throughout the department, an,
| marked with extraordinary interest Of